Roo bunk end mattresses - comfortable?

[chriscowles]

We're new here, looking to get back into camping. We sold our 12' Coleman pop-up 5 years ago, after about 10 years of use. Not wanting to repeat the hassles of a pop-up but liking the open feel of the bunk ends, we're in the market for a hybrid. Personal preference, the kids being out of the house and TV capacity point us to the 18'-20' size range.

We just walked through a 2014 Roo 19' for the first time and were impressed in all respects except for the bunk end mattresses. We were surprised that Rockwood didn't design it better. There is an inch or more difference in level between the foldout bunk floor and the ~1' wide surface on the inside that the remainder of the mattress rested on. The mattress itself did not compensate for it. You can feel it clearly when lying on it. It would be very uncomfortable.

At another nearby dealer we saw a used Jayco. It was an older model but the design was better with respect to the bunk floor and mattress. The transition between the surfaces was smaller, the mattress was thicker, and the section of mattress that overlaid the inner part was undercut to compensate.

With the exception of the bed, we'd prefer the Roo. Among other things it had two vent fans which were a better design (large fan blades) than the cheesy little thing in the Jayco. Also, the Roo doesn't require purchase of an oven which we consider wasted space and weight.

If this is normal for Roos, are aftermarket mattresses available? I can't imagine sleeping on that for extended periods. Even one night would be unpleasant.

Thanks for sharing your experience and advice.

Chris Cowles
Gainesville, FL
USA

[Rrickim63]

Most use a foam memory topper. I honestly do not feel it with 3 inch foam topper.

1999 Silverado with tow package

2006 Roo 23B hybrid

[Jimsue]

I, too, am a fan of the foam toppers. Any preferences as to make or thickness of memory foam? There are so many varieties and prices, it is hard to choose ...

[dbarr]

My Surveyor was the same way. Absolute worst bed I've ever had in a camper. We slept diagonally for 3 seasons and got rid of it.

[rockfordroo]

We have a 2" Walmart cheapie topper in our 2012 Roo 19. Don't notice the slight misalignment. Very happy with the Roo 19 so far (2 seasons).

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Rrickim63

I honestly do not feel it with 3 inch foam topper.

In what position do you sleep, relative to the joint? Are there 2 adults in the beds? How tall are you?

Thanks

[Campingchick]

We have a R-Vision Trailsport 19E and I know exactly what you mean about the bed. We have 6" thick mattresses and I get to sleep on the "hinge" and I feel it by morning. We use a 2" memory foam topper with an additional queen size egg crate foam on top of that with regular queen sheets. Works good, but a pain to make up the bed. The layers have to be taken off and put on the table for travel.

[EricInColorado]

Weird, my 2014 Roo 183 does not have the difference in levels you speak of. All 3 beds fold out flat.

[RCCS]

As I stated on the other forum you posted this question on we turned the mattress the other direction and slept with our feet to the center of the camper. With the mattress that way you would not notice the difference. As also stated we now use the Verlo mattress we had made for our popup camper. Did not think of it until now but how about getting a couple of the blue Coleman camping mats like Walmart has which are 1/2" thick each and putting one on top of the other to make up the difference in height?

[hockeytownmom]

I don't use a foam pad or anything and sleep amazing in the camper. Just slept in the camper for 7 nights and now we're home and I will probably sleep like crap tonight.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by RCCS

Did not think of it until now but how about getting a couple of the blue Coleman camping mats like Walmart has which are 1/2" thick each and putting one on top of the other to make up the difference in height?

I've considered something like that. If I did, I'd get a single thicker piece, thick enough to make up the difference, and undercut the end that hangs over the shelf. Maybe put a thin layer that extends the whole length over a thick layer that's beveled at the end and stops at the shelf. I'd split it like the mattress and use fabric tape to make a hinge, perpendicular to the hinge on the mattress itself.

I still want to feel a little more confident that that would work, before I fork over the money. The answers I'm getting here vary widely.

Thanks for your input.

Chris

[Rrickim63]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

In what position do you sleep, relative to the joint? Are there 2 adults in the beds? How tall are you?

Thanks

2 adults , just under 6 ft. Sleep along seam. I can see it, but not feel it in mine.

1999 Silverado with tow package

2006 Roo 23B hybrid

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Rrickim63

2 adults , just under 6 ft. Sleep along seam. I can see it, but not feel it in mine.

Thanks. That's helpful information.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by EricInColorado

Weird, my 2014 Roo 183 does not have the difference in levels you speak of. All 3 beds fold out flat.

Where the bed meets the frame, is there not a transition of any kind, which some portion of the mattress overlays?

[EricInColorado]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Where the bed meets the frame, is there not a transition of any kind, which some portion of the mattress overlays?

Well there's a hinge, yes, but I cannot feel it through the mattress. I think what you said in the OP is that there's a height difference between the "inside" platform and the door part of the bed. Mine does not have that.

[chriscowles]

There definitely was a height difference, at least an inch, maybe more. There was a rubber flap to overlay the hinge but it didn't make much difference.

[pkenley]

We have a 4" memory foam queen size topper and sleep well even though we are old with shoulder and hip issues. We roll it up and put a bungee cord around it to hold it together during transport.

[chriscowles]

I was informed by a Forest River employee that they're using a new style of mattress for Roos and Shamrocks. It adjusts to the height difference and has an added foam layer over the inner spring mattress.

With respect to the description that it "adjusts to the height difference" I interpret that as meaning it's wedge shaped at the edge with the hinge. That would make the rear mattress different than the front mattress.

I have not seen it personally but confirmed through a FR dealer that all models produced since January have the new mattress. They have some models with the new mattresses on their lot. I haven't confirmed that January start date, either, but did confirm through FR that all new production uses it.

Through correspondence with the parts department I confirmed that a new style mattress is available for purchase, but it's pricey: $566.12 each + $40 for a crate + shipping.

[Boat67]

You could cut down a sheet of styrofoam, from Home Depot, attach it to the bunk door under the mattress. This will level it out and provide extra insulation. You can also cut it in such a way as to move the crack to the wife's side

Wife and I never felt the extra comfort of the topper was worth the hassle always slept fine on the stock sleeping surfaces, remember we are still camping I think.

My fav is taking a nap on the couch in the middle of the hot day with A/C blasting the baseball game on the TV and the fridge full of ice cold beer; well so much for camping?

[chriscowles]

Hopefully, the improvements by Forest River will resolve the problem without need for me to add anything.

Chris Cowles
Gainesville, FL
Former pop-up owner
Hybrid owner wannabe